Manchester City to lay down marker against Unai Emery's Arsenal

Who's excited? The Premier League returns this weekend and it promises to be a season to remember. Manchester City are clearly the team to beat and we feel the champions will get off to a winning start when they head to Arsenal on Sunday.

Running total: +£4.71

The Banker

Manchester City ripped up the record books last season as they won the title at a canter. They finished fully 37 points better off than Arsenal, and for this reason Pep Guardiola's side look a solid price here at evens. It's a new dawn at the Emirates, as the Gunners start a campaign without Arsene Wenger at the helm for the first time since 1996-97. The jury is out on new boss Unai Emery, while it may take time for signings Lucas Torreira, Bernd Leno and Matteo Guendouzi to settle. Guardiola isn't a boss who will rest on his laurels and with Riyad Mahrez adding further variety to a talented attack they can be trusted to start with a bang in north London.

The Tasty Treble

Chelsea (8/13) will be a team to keep an eye on under Maurizio Sarri this season and the forward thinking Italian boss can get his Blues reign off to a flyer by winning at Huddersfield. Chelsea won 3-1 at the John Smith's Stadium last season and look good things to get the job done again. Manchester United (1/2) have endured a miserable preseason but have brought in two quality signings in Fred and Diogo Dalot. If Jose Mourinho can solve the Paul Pogba puzzle then United could still be a real force this season and they have the quality to beat Leicester at home on Friday evening. Finally, Wolves (11/8) strolled to the Championship last season (finishing on 99 points) and having signed top names such as Diogo Jota and Joao Moutinho in the summer, they can lay down a marker by beating Everton at home. The treble is paying better than 9/2 with bet365 and looks to have every chance.

First Goal Flutter

Wilfried Zaha was a class apart for Crystal Palace last season and looks a big price at 6/1 to score first against Fulham. Amazingly, Zaha didn't start for Palace on nine occasions last season, and Palace lost the lot. Quick, skilful and direct, he could give Fulham's defence plenty to think about this weekend.

The Euro Wager

The Spanish season officially kicks off with the Super Cup this Sunday as Barcelona lock horns with Sevilla. Ernesto Valverde's side stormed to a league and cup double last season, and are odds on favourites across the board to retain their La Liga title in 2018-19. They should prove too hot for Sevilla when the pair clash in Morocco, with odds of 7/4 about a Barca win and both teams finding the net looking a real tempter.

The Wildcard Tip

Manchester United should start their season by claiming three points against Leicester, but the Foxes won't roll over and it could be a tight, cagey affair. The Red Devils under Mourinho are workmanlike rather than exciting -- they finished a distant 19 points behind Manchester City last season -- and a 1-0 win at Old Trafford could be the way to bet.